Press Release:
Following up on the success of its fan drive June REBIRTH previews catalogue, DC Entertainment is releasing a free, full-color preview spotlighting the highly anticipated editions of SCOOBY APOCALYPSE, FUTURE QUEST, WACKY RACELAND and THE FLINTSTONES to comic book retailers nationwide on May 11. Any Hanna-Barbera fan, both new and old alike, will want to pick up this 16-page preview for exclusive details about their favorite timeless Saturday morning characters, as well as information on the writers and artists that helped develop their most creative storylines yet. The free preview issue also features insight into the new series from DC Entertainment Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, alongside character sketches.
DC Entertainment’s take on these classic Hanna-Barbera characters features fun, innovative twists and stories injected with current sensibilities that are sure to excite fans of any age! Each series includes epic adventures, thrilling stories and all the timeless characters that fans love.
The initial title lineup includes:
SCOOBY APOCALYPSE – Featuring character designs by veteran artist Jim Lee and an origin story by Jim Lee and Keith Giffen (JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001), artist Howard Porter (SUPERMAN) will provide his own unique take on Freddie, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. “Those meddling kids” and their Mystery Machine are at the center of a well-meaning experiment gone wrong and they’ll need to bring all of their mystery solving skills to bear (along with plenty of Scooby Snacks), to find a cure for a world full of mutated creatures infected by a nanite virus that enhances their fears, terrors and baser instincts. This time, the horrors are real in this apocalyptic near-future badland! Issue #1 will be available in stores on May 25, 2016.
FUTURE QUEST – Writer Jeff Parker (AQUAMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED, BATMAN ’66) and artists Evan “Doc” Shaner (JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR: GREEN LANTERN) and Steve Rude (WORLD’S FINEST, BEFORE WATCHMEN) join forces to bring fans new tales of adventure’s most iconic teenager, Jonny Quest, along with his sidekick Hadji. This series combines Team QUEST (Hadji, Race Bannon, Dr. Benton Quest and Jezebel Jade) with some of the most well-known action and adventure heroes ever created by Hanna-Barbera, including SPACE GHOST, THE HERCULOIDS, BIRDMAN, MIGHTOR and FRANKENSTEIN Jr., among others. Issue #1 will be available in stores on May 18, 2016.
WACKY RACELAND – Take The Ant Hill Mob, Penelope Pitstop and Dick Dastardly, mix in a healthy dose of “Mad Max” and you get this dark and gritty take on Hanna-Barbera’s “Wacky Races,” courtesy of writer Ken Pontac (REBOOT, HAPPY TREE FRIENDS) and artist Leonardo Manco (HELLBLAZER), with vehicle designs by Mark Sexton (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD). A time of hope and innocence with Utopia at the finish line has given way to planetary Armageddon and a desert wasteland full of radioactive lakes, nanotech dust storms, and cannibalistic mutants. Against this backdrop, the Wacky Racers and their sentient vehicles continue their contest, but now the competition is for survival, and there can only be one winner when the checkered flag falls. Issue #1 will be available in stores on June 8, 2016.
THE FLINTSTONES – Based on character designs by Amanda Conner (HARLEY QUINN, STARFIRE), writer Mark Russell (PREZ, GOD IS DISAPPOINTED IN YOU) provides his own unique perspective on everyone’s “modern stone age family,” with art by Steve Pugh (ANIMAL MAN, CONVERGENCE: HARLEY QUINN) Russell will use Bedrock’s most popular family to shine a light on humanity’s ancient customs and institutions in a funny origin story of human civilization. Fred is still the simple man, striving to be the king of his castle, Wilma is still the tolerant but not-indulging wife and Barney (with his wife Betty and infant son Bamm-Bamm) is still the original wingman, whose loyalty to Fred often outweighs his common sense. Issue #1 will be available in stores on July 6, 2016.
The SCOOBY APOCALPYSE AND HANNA-BARBERA PREVIEW EDITION #1 will be available for free at comic book retailers nationwide on May 11, while supplies last.
Images and information courtesy of DC Entertainment.